Red Wings’ Gustav Nyquist got off easy on suspension

Gustav Nyquist and Antoine Vermette, two players who normally are on their best behavior, found themselves answering questions from the NHL for their actions on the ice.

By STEVE CARP LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL

February 18, 2017 - 6:57 pm

Minnesota Wild defenseman Jared Spurgeon (46) is attend to by referee Kyle Rehman (10) after being speared the face by Detroit Red Wings right wing Gustav Nyquist, of Sweden, (14) during the first period of an NHL hockey game, Sunday, Feb. 12, 2017, in St. Paul, Minn. (AP Photo/Paul Battaglia)

In this week’s edition of “Men Behaving Badly,” Gustav Nyquist and Antoine Vermette, two players who normally are on their best behavior, found themselves answering questions from the NHL for their actions on the ice.

Nyquist, a forward with the Detroit Red Wings, was suspended for six games after high sticking Minnesota defenseman Jared Spurgeon in the face last Sunday. Vermette, a center with the Anaheim Ducks, received a 10-game suspension after slashing linesman Shandor Alphonso’s legs after losing a faceoff Tuesday in a game against the Wild.

The question is not whether the suspensions were justified, but who should sit longer.

Vermette’s 10-game suspension was clearly delineated in the NHL rulebook. There wasn’t much wiggle room for him to get a reduced sentence, even though he has appealed the ruling. No one would condone striking an official under any circumstances.

But should Nyquist have received equal if not more punishment? He had been cross-checked from behind earlier in the play, and his retaliation could have caused a serious injury to Spurgeon as the blade of Nyquist’s stick got under Spurgeon’s face shield and just missed his eye.

The fact that it did miss the eye should not be a factor in the decision. It was a blatant dangerous act and warranted more than six games.

If there’s a problem, it was that the two cases were adjudicated by separate entities within the NHL. In Vermette’s case, it went straight to the top. In Nyquist’s instance, the department of player safety meted out the punishment.

But Nyquist’s actions were more dangerous to the person he attacked than Vermette’s. Ten games would have been appropriate for Nyquist, too.

BROADCASTERS UPDATE

Two longtime NHL broadcasters dealing with medical conditions are traveling different paths.

Dave Strader, the Dallas Stars’ play-by-play man who has been battling cancer and missed most of the season, was scheduled to return to the microphone Saturday when the Stars hosted Tampa Bay. Strader has been diagnosed with cholangiocarcinoma, a fairly rare and aggressive form of cancer. His treatment schedule allowed him to travel to Dallas and return to the booth for the five-game homestand.

The news isn’t as good for Bob Miller, the Los Angeles Kings’ Hall of Fame broadcaster. Miller, 78, suffered a stroke during NHL All-Star Weekend last month and has been resting since. The Kings are in the midst of a seven-game stretch, and Miller’s condition is expected to be re-evaluated to determine whether he can return. He had been working a restricted schedule after undergoing open heart surgery last year.

JAGR, CROSBY MILESTONES

Whether it’s because of skill, longevity or a combination of both, Jaromir Jagr became only the second player in NHL history to record 1,900 points.

Jagr, who turned 45 Wednesday, had an assist for the Florida Panthers, who defeated San Jose 6-5 in overtime. He joins Wayne Gretzky as the only players with 1,900 points. Gretzky has 2,857.

Jagr, who has played for eight NHL teams, has 760 goals and 1,141 assists in 1,685 NHL games for 1,901 points. He has 11 goals and 33 points in 57 games this season.

He also is interested in an NHL franchise if someone else puts up the money and invests in the cost of the arena project.

“We haven’t attempted to bid on an NHL team,” Hansen told The Associated Press. “Bidding on an NHL team is their own responsibility.”

Hansen said his group, which has five public members, including Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson, will have an equity stake in the arena and a possible NBA franchise. His focus has been to restore the SuperSonics franchise, which left in 2008 for Oklahoma City.

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Golden Edge host Bryan Salmond and Golden Knights beat reporter David Schoen go over the final games of the Golden Knights road trip and what teams in the Pacific division the Knights have to keep an eye on. Also Golden Edge goes into overtime interviewing Nate Schmidt.

Fans turn out for a pep rally for the Ultimate Vegas Sports Weekend in Las Vegas at the T-Mobile Arena's Toshiba Plaza. The Nascar triple-header weekend, the USA Sevens Rugby tournament, the Vegas Golden Knights vs. the Ottawa Senators and UFC 222 will all take place this weekend.

The Golden Knights are looking to settle their trademark dispute with the U.S. Army. Both sides have been in a trademark dispute over the name “Golden Knights” and the primary colors of gray, gold and black. The Army says the hockey team’s use of Golden Knights as a trademark causes confusion with its parachute team. They are also known as the Golden Knights. The Army filed its complaint with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office on Jan. 10. The Golden Knights filed a settlement motion with the patent office’s trademark trial and appeal board on Jan. 25. The motion gives the team 90 days to resolve issues with the Army. “We’re trying to form a joint use agreement where both sides can continue to have their name."

Golden Knights forecheck

At first glance, the Knights’ 1-2-2 forecheck doesn't look unusual. But it’s the aggression the Knights use that makes their forecheck unique. “They’re a tenacious team." - Flyers coach Dave Hakstol The Knights are second in the NHL with 642 takeaways. “I think it’s a good indicator when we’re playing well is when our forecheck is going.” - center Erik Haula

The Golden Knights’ name and sharp-looking logo may not be big with the United States Army these days. But fans seem to like it. A lot. According to Fanatics, which oversees the league’s online shop, the Knights rank No. 4 in the NHL when it comes to merchandise sales. The New York Rangers are the No. 1 team in sales, followed by the two-time defending Stanley Cup champion Pittsburgh Penguins.

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Ryan Carpenter Glad To Contribute To Golden Knights Win

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